Saturday, September 20, 2008
Our "sport" has a new sport! Mason decided he really wanted to give roller hockey a try. He had his first practice today and I was rather proud of him. There were many older kids around with much more skating and hockey experience, but he jumped right in and had a great time.
Look what happened... our baby started Kindergarten! You'd think I would have been sad... and, really, I would have... except I was so darn relieved! That kid spent all summer long talking about how nervous she was about kindergarten and how she just might not need to go. I was beginning to get pretty nervous about it myself! Thankfully, we had several "visit the school" days and even a visit at home from the teacher. By the time the big day arrived she had done a complete 180 and was happy as a clam to march into her classroom with all the other kids! So, yes, now that she's happy and settled and a big, grown-up kindergartner... I feel a little sad!
Before school started, one of our favorite friends, our Japanese neighbor--Tatsu-- spent some long, fun days playing at our place. (I think we were technically babysitting while his mother was at work.) Since then, we've received a steady supply of fruits and vegetables from Tatsu's mother and his grandparents. I think it's babysitting payment! But of course, we needed no payment--Tatsu and Mason have a great time together--he's a super kid. But the fruits and veggies are an interesting assortment. Above is the extremely bitter Goya (the bumpy one) which is super loaded with Vitamin C, next is the scaly purple dragon fruit which grows on a type of cactus, and last is a new-to-us fruit which was light and crisp and a bit peppery. We loved it and must find out more about it.
Oh, it's been so long since we posted.... where to start? Well, once we returned from our summer in the states there was really only time for a quick adventure or two before starting school. This was a fun one--snorkeling at Maeda flats with friends. This area was full of fish, strange flat lily-pad-like rocks and mysterious pools in the caves. Lots of exploring was done, you can imagine. I love this picture and how the 3 tough boys are hanging back while Alaina is the brave one taking the lead!
Monday, August 18, 2008
What a super time we had visiting everyone this summer. We had been missing you all SO much! There's no way we could thank you enough for the fun and hospitality! It was just what the doctor ordered and really helped to break up this long deployment of Ty's. We only wish he could have been with us. But we did hear from him throughout the summer and he is doing well. Even better news... he gets to come home for a two week break very soon! Here are just a few highlights from the summer. (Most of the time we were too busy having fun to take photos!) We saw almost all the family, went scalloping, jet-ski riding, had a birthday party, saw old neighbors and friends, played with cousins, reunited with Dixie, attended art exhibits, went fishing, got in lots of pool time, visited several beaches, went 4 wheeling, found ancient Indian pottery shards, attended cheer leading/basketball camps, shopped, shopped and shopped, ate lots of delicious food... and I know I'm leaving out plenty! We love you and miss you all!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Oh, we just CAN'T contain our excitement!! We're headed home for a summer visit! We probably won't be posting again until we return in August. We hope to see you all during our visit and for those we can't see--have a wonderful summer!
Let me present to you the 2008 graduates of Just for Me Preschool! They had the cutest little ceremony last week. Each child had a part--Alaina led the singing of "Squirmy the Worm!" And when asked what she wanted to be when she grew, up she declared "a flower shop lady"--which is most fitting, since every pocket in every pair of pants, jacket, and purse I own has a little dried bunch of flowers from Alaina.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Ty reports that he has received dozens and dozens of your boxes for the school supplies drive! Thank you so much for your help! You can see the children with some of the backpacks and other supplies being passed out. The tents in the photos are the "schools" themselves. Isn't that hard to imagine? Mason said he wished he could just send Bechtel Elementary School over there! (But that might be more about wanting to ditch school and start summer vacation than selfless generosity!) In one of Ty's latest emails he wrote... "A pen / pencil is a status symbol as the vast majority of the population is illiterate and does not know how to write. When we do pay call most of the soldiers sign for their pay with a thumbprint because they can't spell their name and that's typical of the entire society." So, again, thank you very much for your help sending the school supplies--they are so needed! Ty will continue passing out the items as they arrive.
Look what happened... our baby started Kindergarten! You'd think I would have been sad... and, really, I would have... except I was so darn relieved! That kid spent all summer long talking about how nervous she was about kindergarten and how she just might not need to go. I was beginning to get pretty nervous about it myself! Thankfully, we had several "visit the school" days and even a visit at home from the teacher. By the time the big day arrived she had done a complete 180 and was happy as a clam to march into her classroom with all the other kids! So, yes, now that she's happy and settled and a big, grown-up kindergartner... I feel a little sad! 
Before school started, one of our favorite friends, our Japanese neighbor--Tatsu-- spent some long, fun days playing at our place. (I think we were technically babysitting while his mother was at work.) Since then, we've received a steady supply of fruits and vegetables from Tatsu's mother and his grandparents. I think it's babysitting payment! But of course, we needed no payment--Tatsu and Mason have a great time together--he's a super kid. But the fruits and veggies are an interesting assortment. Above is the extremely bitter Goya (the bumpy one) which is super loaded with Vitamin C, next is the scaly purple dragon fruit which grows on a type of cactus, and last is a new-to-us fruit which was light and crisp and a bit peppery. We loved it and must find out more about it. 
Oh, it's been so long since we posted.... where to start? Well, once we returned from our summer in the states there was really only time for a quick adventure or two before starting school. This was a fun one--snorkeling at Maeda flats with friends. This area was full of fish, strange flat lily-pad-like rocks and mysterious pools in the caves. Lots of exploring was done, you can imagine. I love this picture and how the 3 tough boys are hanging back while Alaina is the brave one taking the lead! 
What a super time we had visiting everyone this summer. We had been missing you all SO much! There's no way we could thank you enough for the fun and hospitality! It was just what the doctor ordered and really helped to break up this long deployment of Ty's. We only wish he could have been with us. But we did hear from him throughout the summer and he is doing well. Even better news... he gets to come home for a two week break very soon! Here are just a few highlights from the summer. (Most of the time we were too busy having fun to take photos!) We saw almost all the family, went scalloping, jet-ski riding, had a birthday party, saw old neighbors and friends, played with cousins, reunited with Dixie, attended art exhibits, went fishing, got in lots of pool time, visited several beaches, went 4 wheeling, found ancient Indian pottery shards, attended cheer leading/basketball camps, shopped, shopped and shopped, ate lots of delicious food... and I know I'm leaving out plenty! We love you and miss you all!
